article 2A Game of the Week: #2 DeSales at #5 Christian Academy-Louisville

With all due respect to everything that's transpired up to this point... now it starts to get real. Everything we've seen so far has been (admittedly good) salads and side dishes. Now we get to sink our teeth into the real meat of the regular season, and football fans are predominantly carnivores.

Last week, the Louisville big school privates took center stage. This week, it's the little guys’ turn to settle the pecking order, at least temporarily. Of course, little is relative. The only thing small about DeSales and Christian Academy-Louisville is their classification. The talent and stakes are quite large. DeSales has been one of the top programs in the state for several years, winning back to back state titles in 2013 and 2014. CAL won it all last year and were, arguably, the best 2A team not named DeSales during those Colts championship years. From 2012 - 2015, the Centurions won the regular season meeting and the district title, only to have DeSales flip the script in the playoffs and win the region. Last year, CAL was able to buck that trend with a 21-14 post-season win on their way to the ultimate prize.

The Centurions (5-1) came out strong this season, if not a little disjointed on offense. The defense played lights out in a 28-14 defeat of 5A #5 South Oldham in a game that wasn't as close as the score would indicate. They followed that up with three consecutive defensive gems against Eastern, Central Hardin, and 3A #4 Elizabethtown. The defense was arguably the best in the class at that point. All CAL needed was for the offense to catch up and they'd be unstoppable, right? The last thing they needed was to lose their quarterback, which they did, for unspecified reasons. This affected not one, but two positions as star wide receiver Milton Wright assumed quarterback duties. Wright is a supreme all around talent, but he's playing out of position behind center. An upset loss to Newport Central Catholic followed, with Wright throwing four interceptions. Perhaps most surprisingly, the Thoroughbreds consistently won the battle in the trenches. I don't mean to imply that CAL should be written off as a top contender for the title, but the defending champs appear to be vulnerable at the moment. Beating Meade County 26-7 was a nice way to get back on the winning track, but was it enough to convince everyone that the Centurions are who we thought they were at the beginning of the season?

DeSales (6-0) has put together the best resume in 2A so far, in workmanlike fashion. The Colts have recorded victories over ranked 6A opponents Ballard and Butler, 5A #6 Fern Creek, and 3A #7 Lexington Catholic. Predominantly a running team, they like to spread the love around to several ball carriers. Running back Tyrell Watkins leads a punishing ground game along with QB Aaron Pfaadt. All together, six players have already rushed for over 100 yards so far this season. Pfaadt will look to build upon his best passing performance of the year so far(10/14 for 177 yards and a TD) in a running clock win over North Hardin in Week 6.

DeSales played eventual champion CAL closer than anyone last year, falling 12-7 in the regular season and 21-14 in the playoff rematch. This rivalry has been incredibly competitive in recent years. Don't look for that to change in 2017. Coaches Harold Davis and Stefan Lefors have done this dance many times over the last five seasons. There likely won't be many secrets on the field on Friday night. These are two of the top five teams in 2A and a probable district title, not to mention home field for the playoff rematch (you know it's going to happen), is at stake.

One of my favorite teams, and my favorite coach wins this one 26-13. Go COLTS !

I hope CAL is at full strength.

I saw DeSales rock Lex Cath and CAL lose to NCC. Two very evenly matched teams. Home field may be the biggest advantage either team has. I do think the winner is gonna be the front runner in 2A!

CAL impressed me with that win over South Oldham to start the season, and has only made me flinch just a bit with the loss to Newport Catholic without starting QB Carr. Do they get their QB back this week?...If they do then they won't miss a beat and will be tough to defeat. And if he is out, the Wright kid will have had 3/4 weeks of Coach Lafors (one of the best QB in UofL history ) 'enlightenment' under his belt. Either way, I expect another classic battle this Friday....The Colts have slowly but surely improved each week. Cut down the penalties and mistakes and ya got a decent chance to knock off the defending champs..... GO COLTS !

Why is CAL quarterback out and how long has he been?

I saw DeSales rock Lex Cath and CAL lose to NCC. Two very evenly matched teams. Home field may be the biggest advantage either team has. I do think the winner is gonna be the front runner in 2A!

I think DeSales has the better overall defense and that will be the difference. I don't think anyone is the front runner at this point.

Don't know, not a clue....he didn't play in Newport Catholic game or Meade County game last Friday. Hope everything okay with him.

NOT first hand knowledge, but from a reputable source, Wright will probably be under center again this week for the Centurions.

I'm not sure Carr will be back this season.

Being unsure of Carr's status makes game prep tough for the Colts coaching staff. It literally is two ENTIRELY different offenses, depending on whether or not he plays. If he is NOT in the lineup, I would play the old "someone besides Wright is going to have to win this game for them" card, focusing all energy on containing Wright - easier said than done. Meanwhile, the Colts HAVE to play more disciplined and reduce the number of penalties. Their offense is coming along nicely, but this will be a level of defense they have not faced since the Butler game. Special teams will be huge. Wright can change a game in a heartbeat, and the Colts have not been strong on covering kicks so far this season. And, as usual, the game could hinge on one big turnover. Can't wait for Friday!

The fact that Wright was moved to qb would seem to indicate a long term absence.

Desales is a running team. How is the CAL run defense?

Do these teams historically keep things pretty vanilla in this one, holding some cards up their sleeves for the inevitable playoff matchup, or are all cards on the table?

If Carr is still out, I like Desales to take this one and if he's out for the season, I also think they win the rematch..

Yeah, I don't think we show them everything. But DeSales is also going to line up, and play with the philosophy stop us if you can.

I think there is a little turmoil over on English Station Rd. They are being very quiet over there. I know Lefors is a good coach, so he'll right the ship.